Joint Standards Committee	23 September 2021
Report of the Monitoring Officer

Monitoring Report in respect of Complaints Received

Summary

This report is to update the Committee on the position regarding ongoing complaints.

Background

The table attached at Annex A provides information about ongoing complaints and the table attached at Annex B provides the list of closed complaints. 

Case references 739, 740, 741 and 2021/06 are still being investigated by an external investigating officer.  2021/11 is also now being investigated by an external investigating officer.

Case references 2020/20, 2021/08, 2021/09, 2021/13 and 2021/14 are all currently under investigation.

Case references 2020/12, has been investigated and the Monitoring Officer has determined that the findings of the investigating officer are upheld, no breach having been found. 

2020/13 has been investigated and the Monitoring Officer accepts the investigating officer’s findings that there has been a breach of the Code of Conduct.  The Monitoring Officer has dealt with the matter by way of local resolution and this matter is now closed.  

Case reference 2020/10 has been investigated further and is due to be considered by a Sub Committee of the Joint Standards Committee later this month. 

Case reference 2020/14 has been passed to a Joint Standards Committee Hearing Panel which has been adjourned to a date later this month, where the matter will be heard.  Case reference 2021/01 was recently considered by a Hearing Panel where they determined that there had not been a breach of the Code of Conduct.

Case reference 2020/17 is linked to other complaints which are currently under investigation.  The Investigating Officer found a breach of the Code of Conduct, which the Monitoring Officer has accepted, however, is awaiting the outcome of the linked investigations before deciding how best to progress this complaint.

Finally, case reference 2021/11 was assessed by the Monitoring Officer who determined that the complaint would not progress.  This complaint is now closed.

Implications

Financial

Not applicable to this report.

Human Resources (HR)

Not applicable to this report.

Equalities

Maintaining standards across the City through the Code of Conduct ensures that an ethical framework can be adhered to, including ensuring that equality issues form an integral part of that framework. 

Legal

As detailed within the report.

Crime and Disorder, Information Technology and Property

Not applicable to this report.

Recommendations

1. That the Joint Standards Committee notes the report, in order to ensure that the Committee is aware of the current levels of activity and is able to provide oversight of the complaints procedure.

Author: Rachel Antonelli Head of Democratic Governance & Deputy Monitoring Officer	Chief Officer Responsible for the report: Janie Berry Director of Governance & Monitoring Officer Tel:  01904 555385
Tel:  01904 551043
	Report Approved	√	Date	14/09/2021
Specialist Implications Officer(s):
Wards Affected:  List wards or tick box to indicate all					All	X
For further information please contact the author of the report

Background Papers:

· Annex A – Table showing open complaints received.

· Annex B – Table showing closed complaints received.